Event Comment: This comic opera of two acts [Padlock] was written by Mr Bickerstaffe and is a very compleat, pretty piece,--the music very striking.--Mrs Dorman was hissed at first, but the piece went off very well, and much applauded (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, Music and other Decorations. Doors opened at half past 4. Play to begin exactly at 6 o'clock. [A three column retelling of the plot of the padlock appeared in Lloyd's Evening Post, for Oct. 5-7.

Event Comment: For the Farce--New Scenes, Dresses, Music. Book of the play sold at the Theatre. Play to begin at 6 o'clock (Winston MS 10). The Farce went off very well,--some hisses (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: [The Young Gentleman who played Zaphna was Wroughton. "His real name was Rottan, but altered euphonia gratia. He was designed for a surgeon and served his apprenticeship at Bath. The following playbills show that he met with approbation on the stage. He remained with Covent Garden from this time till the end of the season 1785-86. He then played in Ireland one Winter, and was engag'd at Drury Lane Theatre in the beginning of the season 1787-88. This was the occasion of Mr Wroughton's leaving Covent Garden, I mean it was thus conjectured. Mr Lewis had been appointed manager of that theatre for Mr Harris. Mr Lewis and Mr Wroughton lived next door neighbors in Broad Court at the top of Bow Street, and were sworn friends:--they laughed together, lived together--In the season 1784-85 two new performers Mr Holman and Mr Pope, appeared on the Covent Garden Stage--these young men were great favorites with Mr Harris; Mr Holman, attracting at this time very crowded audiences, stood so particularly high in his regard, that his partiality made him guilty of some injustice to older and abler actors in the theatre. Mr Henderson had really cause to complain of neglect; and Mr Wroughton thought himself equally oppressed. At this time we had a Club and met every Wednesday fortnight during Lent at the Long Room in Hamstead at dinner. Our Club consisted of a certain number of us belonging indifferently to either theatre, and two or three other gentlemen who were not actors. Mr King, Mr Quick, Mr Farren, Mr Mattocks, myself, etc., etc. When the bottle had a little warmed Mr Wroughton he threw out some sarcasms on his Friend Mr Lewis's management; Mr Lewis retorted; Their tempers grew hot, their words grew aggravating; Mr Wroughton struck Mr Lewis; Mr Lewis returned the blow. They were parted; all the pleasures of the day were over, and the Club broke up in confusion. I was not present this day, but have related what Mr Siddons told me of this Quarrel, and I imagine that Mr Wroughton's attack on Mr Lewis sprang from a suspicion that he was too willing to execute Mr Harris's designs in favour of Mr Holman. Be this as it may, Mr Wroughton was discharged from cg at the expiration of his Articles with Mr Harris."--Hopkins MS Notes.] Receipts: #186 3s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: An English Opera composed and directed by Dr Arne. In this opera two new performers appeared,--Mr Rathom who played Artaxerxes, a bad figure, extreamly aukward, and much hissed--the other Mrs Forbes, who played Arbaces, a small figure a good voice, was well received, and went decently through the part (Hopkins Diary)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Neville MS Diary: Saw Douglas by a Mr Brereton, being his 3rd appearance. He is a pretty figure, but wants lemon in his voice, as Mr Garrick calls it. Lady Randolph by Mrs Barry. The Entertainment was Queen Mab, with a new scene representing the late Masquerade at the Opera House, with all the extravagances and intrigue which it occasions. Was very much squeezed in the Pit. Wish I was settled in th country at a distance from these crowded diversions

Event Comment: Comedy from Moliere and Cibber. Hopkins Diary: This comedy [Hypocrite] is the Non Juror altered, and two new characters introduced,--went off very well,--some few hisses,--but the play will do.--The alterations are by Mr Bickerstaffe. [Full account of the mainpiece, but without critical observation, appeared in the Lloyd's Evening Post, Nov. 18-21.

Event Comment: A new comic opera. Music by Piccini

Event Comment: This tragedy was wrote by Mr Dow,--went off but So, so.--some hisses thro' the play, and at the end also when given out.--The scenery and dresses was very fine, was well adapted, and had applause.--Miss Younge played very bad, and much disliked--Mr Holland and Mr Aickin played well (Hopkins Diary). New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [The Prologue is Larpent MS 289. It follows in content the suggestions of the Prologue to the Orphan of China ten seasons earlier:@"Too much the Greek and Roman chiefs engage@The Muse's care--they languish on our stage;@The modern bard struck with the vast applause@Of ancient masters, like the painter draws@From models only.--Can such copies charm@The Heart, or like the glow of Nature warm?@To fill the scene, tonight our author brings@Originals at least, --Warriours and Kings,@Heroes who like their Gems, unpolish'd shine,@The mighty fathers of the Tartar line,@Greater than those whom classic pages boast,@If those are greatest who have conquored most."@ An account of the plot of the mainpiece is in Lloyd's Evening Post, 16-19 Dec. Concludes: The play is said to have been written by Mr Dow, who lately favored the public with an accurate History of the Hindoos. The decorations and dresses were very magnificent. The performers who were the most distinguished by the audience were Mr Holland, Miss Younge, Mr Aickin, and Mr Jefferson. Mr Holland spoke the Prologue and Mrs Abington the Epilogue the latter of which furnished infinite entertainment, from the spirit and humour of that admirable actress. A Two column resume of the play appears in the Public Advertiser, 19 Dec.

Event Comment: Paid Mr Rich the Balance due New Lying In Hospital, 22d Dec. last #21 7s. (Account Book). Receipts: #176 1s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [Harlequin Skeleton] now advertised under its original title, but the New Scene with additions continued (playbill). Paid Younger for a license for ye 2 Sisters #2 2s. (Account Book). [See 18 Feb.] Receipts: #244 11s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Comedy by Mrs E. Griffith, acted for first time. New Scenes, Dresses, Decorations, etc. Neville MS Diary: While I stood at the Pit door of Drury Lane Playhouse, took occasion to say that now they (meaning the present venal House of Commons) had expelled Mr Wilkes they would proceed to do everything that is bad. For which one present (I suppose a friend of the Court) said they would proceed to send me to Newgate if it should come to their ears

Event Comment: The Third Act entirely new; music by Buranello

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comedy [by Charlotte Lennox]. Never Performed. Prologue by Colman. Epilogue by Goldsmith. Treated so badly by the audience this first night that Mrs Lennox withdrew it. Burgoyne's The Heiress [dl, 14 Jan. 1784] draws upon it (Genest, V, 242). Receipts: #234 5s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: A new comic Opera. Music by Alessandri. Benefit for Lovattini

Event Comment: N.B. On Saturday Next, 11 March, for the Benefit of Woodward will be presented Cymbeline...and a New Tragedy in Two Acts, call'd The Rival Favourites; or, The Death of Bucephalus the Great: Alexander-$Woodward; Philip-$Shuter; Statira-$Mrs Green. With a Triumphal Entry. The Funeral Procession of Bucephalus to the Monument of the Houyhnhnms and a Solemn Dirge [See Comment 7, 9, 11 March.] Receipts: #208 7s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author of the Mianpiece. Garrick to Bath apparently to recover from an illness (Winston MS 10). From the Public Advertiser: To Mrs Barry, upon her acting the part of Rivine in the new Tragedy [The Fatal Discovery]: Grosvenor-Square, March 8

Event Comment: The last night of the Subscription. A new comic Opera; Music-Fischietti [and V. Pallavicino; text by Goldoni (Loewenberg, Annals of Opera, p. 116), first performance in England.

Event Comment: Benefit for Wignell and Barnshaw. As the Indisposition of the vocal performers renders it impossible to perform the Jovial Crew, Messrs Wignell and Barnshaw, hope their Friends will honour them with their company to the above Comedy, to which, tickets delivered for the Jovial Crew, will be taken. Charges #64 10s. Deficit to actors #25 2s. covered by income form tickets: Wignell #85 (Box 69; Pit 347; Gallery 157); Barnshaw #96 1s. (Box 88; Pit 381; Gallery 169) (Account Book). Mrs Paddick paid up her 1!2 value of tickets for the 6th Inst. Paid Kirkman for a new Harpsichord and tuning the old one #62 3s. (Account Book). Receipts: #39 8s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: A new comic Opera; Music by Traetta

Event Comment: Account Book: @Receiv'd of Vincent for Music Forfeits this season #21 11s. 10d.@Rece'v'd for stage forfeits this season #14 4s. 2d.@Receiv'd of Mrs Carne for ends of Candles & Oyl #70 6s. 7d.@Receiv'd of Proprietors of Public Advertiser #50@Receiv'd of Proprietors of Daily Gazetteer #50@Paid Vincent for Music Books #4 5s. 2d.@9 June@Rec'd Assurance on 50 Renter's Old Shares at 4s. 10d. each #12 1s. 8d.@Rec'd Assurance on 50 Renter's New Shares at 2s. 6d. each #6 5s.@15 July@Rec'd of His Majesty by Mr Mathias #40@Rec'd of Madam Schellenbergen by Ditto #9@Total Income 1768-69: #30,759 16s. 2 1!2d.@Total Expense 1768-69: #24,035 8s. 3d.@31 May: Paid Arnold Composer #50 13s.@2 June: Paid Kirkman for tuning #20@